Self Defense For College Credits

Institutions of higher learning are finally wising up. In the wake of devastating attacks on faculty, staff, and students, some are offering courses in self defense. The purpose is for students to begin taking responsibility for their own safety.

Consequently, self defense classes specifically geared for women are springing up all over the country. Sponsored by colleges and universities, and sometimes used to meet physical education credit requirements, these classes are typically about an hour-and-a-half long and run for about six weeks. These courses don’t teach fancy karate or jujitsu moves. They don’t focus on roundhouse kicks or weapons.
Many of the most effective classes, such as the one sponsored by Colorado University and offered through the Recreation Center, teach the power of regaining control after an attack using the most powerful parts of the body: the legs. Other classes focus on breakaway techniques appropriate for a wide variety of holds such as arm grabs, the choke hold, one- or two-arm grabs, and what to do if someone comes from behind.

At the same time these useful techniques are drilled into participants, they are also bombarded with defensive thinking. Since a huge percentage of situations can be avoided by calling for an escort, parking in well-lit places, and avoiding the proverbial dark alley, participants are required to practice thinking about ways to prevent potentially dangerous scenarios.

However, if the worst does happen, the fact of having anticipated the possibility and practiced what to do dramatically ups the odds of survival. Classes provide hands-on opportunities to break out of holds, damage assailants and reduce threat levels by using their bodies in a variety of effective ways.

The “psychology of defense” is another tool taught by instructor Dennis Phelps. To add to the reality level, participants will experience the verbal assaults common to many situations. Before class ends, male instructors suit up in protective clothing so that the women are prepared for every aspect of an attack and can practice defensive techniques at the limits of their strength. They are taught to hit and kick and follow-up. They are taught that, if they have the advantage to keep it and to attack as many areas of vulnerability as possible.

Participants questioned at the end of class stated they did not feel threatened by the insults and attacks of their instructors because of the supportive atmosphere. Since factors like fear, anger, or confusion can delay response time, a mind kept in “fighting trim” is more likely to respond quickly and appropriately when mere seconds can mean the difference between life and death.